Bag tossing game

ABSTRACT

A gaming apparatus for a bag tossing game. Particularly, a gaming apparatus employing a board member and a base which provide a chamber to carry tossing bags. Moreover, a bag tossing game having at least two gaming apparatus and an engaging means to link together the two corresponding gaming apparatuses.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a gaming apparatus for a bagtossing game. In one embodiment, the gaming apparatus employs a boardmember and a base which provide a chamber to carry the bags. In anotherembodiment, the gaming apparatus includes an engaging means to linktogether two corresponding gaming apparatuses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bag tossing games have been used for years. They provide entertainmentto people of all ages. Traditional bag tossing games include two targetsand a number of bags filled with dried sand, beans or corn for playersto throw at the targets. Scoring for the games differs depending onplayers' experience and locale. Today, bag tossing games, such ascornhole, have become widely popular. People play at home, on vacation,and many areas have seen an explosion of tournaments for such games.Many of the traditional bag tossing games have targets that arehand-made or carved from wood. While such sets are fun to play, theyhave inherent problems, mainly, weight, durability and consistencyissues. For example, many of the wooden games are very heavy and aredifficult to carry, particularly for children. These wooden sets alsohave durability issues, particularly when exposed to inclement weatherconditions, such as rain. Moreover, because many of these traditionalsets are hand-carved, inconsistent play occurs from one set to the next.Because of these issues and due to the increased interest in such games(i.e., tournaments), there exists a need for bag tossing games that aredurable as well as lightweight and compact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide agaming apparatus for a bag tossing game. It is a further object toprovide a bag tossing game having at least two gaming apparatus whichcan be linked together.

In one exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a gamingapparatus comprising a board member and a base. The board member has anupper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a chamberconfigured to contain gaming articles. The base is pivotally attached tothe lower portion of the board member. The base is pivotal to a storageposition to substantially close the chamber.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a bagtossing game comprising a first gaming apparatus and a second gamingapparatus. The first gaming apparatus has a board member and a base. Theboard member includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a first sideportion engaging member, and a second side portion receiving member. Thebase is pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member. Thesecond gaming apparatus has a board member and a base. The board memberincludes an upper portion, a lower portion, a first side portionengaging member, and a second side portion receiving member. The base ispivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member. Theengaging member of the first gaming apparatus operably engages thereceiving member of the second gaming apparatus and the engaging memberof the second gaming apparatus operably engages the receiving member ofthe first gaming apparatus when the two lower portions are substantiallyaligned.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a gamingapparatus comprising a board member and a base. The board member has anupper portion, a lower portion, a first side portion engaging member anda second side portion receiving member. The lower portion includes achamber configured to contain gaming articles. The base is pivotallyattached to the lower portion of the board member. The base is pivotalto a storage position to substantially close the chamber.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to agaming apparatus consisting essentially of a board member and a base.The board member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lowerportion includes a chamber configured to contain gaming articles. Thebase is pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member. Thebase is pivotal to a storage position to substantially close thechamber.

The present bag tossing game and gaming apparatus provide a lightweight,durable and consistent structure that solves many of the issuesconcerning traditional bag tossing games. Particularly, the presentgaming apparatus utilizes a chamber to contain the gaming articles(e.g., tossing bags) while the gaming is being stored or transported.Moreover, the bag tossing game includes two gaming apparatus which areconfigured to be linked together for purposes of storage or transport,maintaining a compact structure, thus saving space in the process.Finally, the gaming apparatus can be formed of a plastic material whichprovides more durability, particularly with regard to breakage orexposure to weather, and provides better consistent game play for theplayers. These and additional advantages of the present invention willbe more readily apparent in view of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that thesame will be better understood from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A depicts a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a gamingapparatus in a playing position;

FIG. 1B depicts a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a gamingapparatus in a playing position;

FIG. 2 illustrates an orthogonal view of an exemplary embodiment of alower portion of a gaming apparatus having a base in a playing position,with tossing bags therein;

FIG. 3 depicts an orthogonal view of an exemplary embodiment of a lowerportion of a gaming apparatus having a base in a storage position;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bag tossing game withtwo gaming apparatuses aligned prior to being linked together atopposing ends; and

FIG. 5 depicts an orthogonal view of an exemplary embodiment of a bagtossing game with two corresponding apparatuses linked together atopposing ends.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention and its operation arehereinafter described in detail in connection with the views andexamples of FIGS. 1-5, wherein like numbers indicate the same orcorresponding elements throughout the views. As shown in FIGS. 1A and1B, a bag tossing game 10 includes at least one gaming apparatus 12. Thegaming apparatus 12 includes a board member 14 and a base 16. The boardmember 14 has an upper portion 18 and a lower portion 20. The upperportion 18 provides a playing surface 22 for the bag tossing game 10.The board member 14 has an opening 24 which passes from the upperportion 18 to the lower portion 20. The opening 24 can include a numberof shapes, so long as tossing bags effectively pass through the opening24 when the bag tossing game 10 is being played. As depicted in theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 1A, the opening 24 is substantiallycircular in shape. As shown in FIG. 1B, the gaming apparatus 12 is in aplaying (open) position. The playing position is the position that thebase 16 is placed in order for a player to use the gaming apparatus 12to play the bag tossing game 10. When in the playing position, the base16 orients the playing surface 22 of the board member 14 at apredetermined angle (θ) relative to an underlying surface 26. In oneexemplary embodiment, the base 16 has at least one stopper 28 thatcontacts and end of the board member 14 to limit the predetermined angle(θ) when the base 16 is pivoted to the playing position. As shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the stoppers 28 can be integral with the base.

FIG. 2 illustrates the lower portion 20 of the board member 14 havingthe base 16 pivoted to the playing position. The base 16 is pivotallyattached to the lower portion 20 of the gaming apparatus 12. Thispivotal attachment allows the base 16 to rotate between the playingposition and a storage (closed) position. In one exemplary embodiment,integral pivotal extensions (e.g., pins 23) (shown in phantom) extendfrom the base 16 into respective recesses 25 (shown in phantom) in thelower portion 20 of the board member 14 providing the pivotalattachment. These integral pivotal extensions are inserted into therecesses 25 in the lower portion 20 of the board member 14, and suchdesign eliminates the need for any additional or external fasteners orconnectors. Therefore, a gaming apparatus consisting essentially of aboard member and a base means having integral pivotal extensions withouthaving any fasteners or connectors. Also shown in the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 2 is the lower portion 20 having a chamber 30. Thechamber 30 is configured to contain gaming articles. The gaming articlesinclude tossing bags 32 and any associated accessories used with the bagtossing game 10.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the base 16 is pivotedto in the storage position, which illustrates the chamber 30 in thelower portion 20 of the board member 14 being substantially closed. Thebase 16 may be configured to lockably engage the lower portion 20 of theboard member 14 when the base 16 is in the stored position. In oneexemplary embodiment, protrusion members 34 on each side of the base 16provide a means to substantially lock the base 16 into the storageposition, for example by their engagement with ridges 33 on the sideedges 35 of the chamber 30, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The lockableengagement of the chamber 30 prevents the gaming articles from fallingout of the chamber 30 when the gaming apparatus 12 is being transported.

In another exemplary embodiment, the lower portion 20 may containstructural recesses (not shown) along the surface of the lower portion20 to provide additional rigidity to the surface of the upper portion 18of the board member 14. This additional rigidity is beneficial when thegaming apparatus 12 is formed from a deformable material, such asplastic, because the additional support provides a more rigid playingsurface 22 for the bag tossing game 10.

The bag tossing game includes at least two gaming apparatuses. Althoughthere are multiple ways and/or rules associated with playing various bagtossing games, most require that the two gaming apparatuses (or targets)be spaced apart at predefined distance. In order to calculate thedistance, a distance measuring device (not shown) can be furtherincluded with at least one gaming apparatus. In one exemplaryembodiment, the distance measuring device can be integrated with theboard member. One such distance measuring device could include ameasuring tape reel attached at one end of the board member. Themeasuring tape reel would allow a player to extend the measuring tape onthe reel the appropriate distance in order to place the secondcorresponding gaming apparatus at the proper distance from the firstgaming apparatus. In another exemplary embodiment, the distancemeasuring device could be one of the accessories stored in the chamberand which may be removed from the chamber when the game is played tomark off the appropriate distance between the two gaming apparatuses.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the bag tossing game 110having a first gaming apparatus 112 and a second gaming apparatus 113.The first gaming apparatus 112 has a board member 114 and a base 116pivotally attached to the board member 114. The board member 114includes an upper portion 118, a lower portion 120, a first side portionengaging member 121 and a second side portion receiving member 123. Thebase 116 of the first gaming apparatus 112 is pivotally attached to thelower portion 120 of the board member 114. The second gaming apparatus113 also has a board member 144 and base 146, wherein the board member144 has an upper portion 148, a lower portion 150, a first side portionengaging member 151 and a second side portion receiving member 153. Asfurther illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the lowerportions 120, 150 of the first and second gaming apparatuses 112, 113are substantially aligned prior to the engagement of the gamingapparatuses 112, 113. The lower portions 120, 150 of the both the firstand second gaming apparatuses 112, 113 can include alignment members 160in one exemplary embodiment. In one exemplary embodiment, the alignmentmembers include tabs 161 and recesses 162. As shown in FIG. 4, the tabs161 of the first gaming apparatus 112 generally insert into the recesses162 of the second gaming apparatus 113, while the tabs 161 of the secondgaming apparatus 113 generally insert into the recesses 162 of the firstgaming apparatus 112, thus providing the substantial alignment of thetwo gaming apparatuses 112, 113. One skilled in the art will appreciatethat the alignment members can have a wide variety of shapes, sizes andpositions, as desired.

Once the first and second gaming apparatuses 112, 113 are aligned andthe bases 116, 146 are in their storage positions, the two correspondingapparatuses 112, 113 can be linked together, as illustrated in FIG. 5.The engaging member 121 of the first gaming apparatus 112 operablyengages the receiving member 153 of the second gaming apparatus 113. Theengaging member 151 of the second gaming apparatus 113 operably engagesthe receiving member 123 of the first gaming apparatus 112. In oneexemplary embodiment, the engaging members 121, 151 comprise flaps 125integrally formed with the board members 114, 144 to provide a mechanismby which to link together the two corresponding gaming apparatuses 112,113. The flaps 125 include extensions 127 which engage the receivingmembers 123, 153. In one exemplary embodiment, the receiving members123, 153 include ridges 129 which extend from the second side portion ofthe associated board members to engage with the corresponding engagingmember 121, 151. In one exemplary embodiment, no external fasteners areutilized to link together the two corresponding gaming apparatuses.

Once the player engages the engaging members 121, 151 of each gamingapparatus 112, 113 to link the board members 114, 144 together, asdepicted in FIG. 5, the player can lift the bag tossing game 110 totransport or store the game 110. In one exemplary embodiment, at leastone of the board members 114, 144 of one of the gaming apparatuses 112,113 includes a handle 170 to allow the user to more easily lift andcarry the game 110. The handles 170 can be integrally formed with theboard members 114, 144, as shown in FIG. 5, or the handle 170 can beattached in another manner as one skilled in the art can appreciate.

The gaming apparatus can be manufactured from a number of differentmaterials. In one exemplary embodiment, the gaming apparatus is formedfrom a material including a polymer. The polymer material can includeone or more polymers. In one exemplary embodiment, the polymer materialis a plastic. A plastic gaming apparatus provides the user with alightweight alternative to traditional wooden bag tossing games. Inaddition, additives may be added to the material having a polymer toprovide various benefits or advantages to the structure of the gamingapparatus. One such additive can be a fluorescent additive. Thefluorescent additive provides the capability of configuring the gamingapparatus to glow in the dark. Moreover, a color dye additive could alsobe added the polymer to provide different colored gaming apparatuses.These additives provide players additional options over traditionalwooden bag tossing games.

In one exemplary embodiment, the gaming apparatus is formed through aplastic molding process. While a number of plastic molding processescould be used to form the gaming apparatus, one exemplary embodimentincludes the process of blow molding. Once the mold for the gamingapparatus is formed, the board member and base are assembled such thatthe base is pivotally attached to the board member. Moreover, byutilizing a plastic molding process, the gaming apparatus provides moreconsistent results for players then the traditional wooden bag tossinggames, particularly compared to hand-carved games. In addition, throughthe plastic molding process the playing surface of the gaming apparatuscan be textured to prevent a slick surface and give more consistentgaming results.

While the invention has been so described in detail with reference tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that various changes and modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of whichis defined by the following claims.

1. A gaming apparatus comprising: a board member having an upper portionand a lower portion, wherein the lower portion comprises a chamberconfigured to contain gaming articles; and a base pivotally attached tothe lower portion of the board member, wherein the base is pivotal to astorage position to substantially close the chamber.
 2. The gamingapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the board member its providedwith an opening which passes from the upper portion through to the lowerportion.
 3. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein thegaming apparatus is made of a material comprising a polymer.
 4. Thegaming apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the material comprises afluorescent additive.
 5. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 1,wherein the gaming apparatus is blow molded.
 6. The gaming apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein the gaming apparatus further comprisesgaming articles.
 7. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 6, whereinthe gaming articles comprise tossing bags.
 8. The gaming apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein the gaming apparatus further comprises adistance measuring device.
 9. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim1, wherein the base is pivotal to a playing position.
 10. The gamingapparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the base comprises at least onestopper, wherein the at least one stopper defines the playing positionof the base.
 11. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein theplaying position of the base orients the board member at a predeterminedangle relative to an underlying surface.
 12. A bag tossing gamecomprising: at least two of the gaming apparatus of claim 1; and aplurality of tossing bags.
 13. A bag tossing game comprising: a firstgaming apparatus comprising a board member having an upper portion, alower portion, a first side portion engaging member and a second sideportion receiving member; and a base pivotally attached to the lowerportion of the board member; and a second gaming apparatus comprising aboard member having an upper portion, a lower portion, a first sideportion engaging member and a second side portion receiving member; anda base pivotally attached to the lower portion of the board member; andwherein the engaging member of the first gaming apparatus operablyengages the receiving member of the second gaming apparatus and theengaging member of the second gaming apparatus operably engages thereceiving member of the first gaming apparatus when the lower portionsare substantially aligned.
 14. The bag tossing game as recited in claim13, wherein at least one board member comprises a handle.
 15. The bagtossing game as recited in claim 13, wherein the lower portions comprisealignment members.
 16. The bag tossing game as recited in claim 15,wherein the alignment members comprise tabs and recesses.
 17. A gamingapparatus comprising: a board member having an upper portion, a lowerportion, a first side portion engaging member and a second side portionreceiving member, wherein the lower portion comprises a chamberconfigured to contain gaming articles; and a base pivotally attached tothe lower portion of the board member, wherein the base is pivotal to astorage position to substantially close the chamber.
 18. A gamingapparatus consisting essentially of: a board member having an upperportion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion comprises achamber configured to contain gaming articles; and a base pivotallyattached to the lower portion of the board member, wherein the base ispivotal to a storage position to substantially close the chamber. 19.The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the base comprisesintegral pivotal extensions which attach to the lower portion of theboard member.
 20. The gaming apparatus as recited in claim 18, whereinthe gaming apparatus is blow molded.